Donna Jean Taylor

Loving mother and grandmother, Donna Jean Taylor passed away Saturday, October 10, 2026, in Rexburg, Idaho at the Homestead Assisted Living at the age of 78. Jean was born on June 5, 1948, the daughter of James Gilbert Purser and Erma Viola Clifford Purser in Rigby, Idaho.

Jean attended schools in Rigby, Idaho, graduating from Rigby High School. She served as a nurse after earning her LPN at Ricks College and later her BSRN at Eastern Idaho Technical College. She worked for many years at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center and later for Cigna Health Care in Mesa, Arizona. While in Arizona she took classes at Mesa Community College.

Jean married Willard Carpenter Taylor on November 16, 1979, in Rigby, Idaho. On December 21, 2002, they were sealed in the Mesa, Arizona Temple. She was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Jean had many things she liked, but she loved horses. Throughout the Snake River Valley there were many competing horse teams. All of which were either men’s or women’s teams. So that she could ride with her husband, they joined a co-ed posse, the Upper Valley Wranglers out of Rexburg, Idaho. She was always up for a trail ride and camping.

Jean enjoyed friends and family. She liked giving back to her community. She served as an EMT for the Rigby Quick Response Unit when it was organized and was a swimming instructor at Heisi Hot Springs.

Even though she loved horses, her greatest love was her family. We will miss her every day. She is survived by her daughters; Tawna (Thane) Hiatt of Idaho Falls, ID, Kayce (Kevin) Westervelt of Santan Valley, AZ, and Lisa (Tony) Campagna of Mandan, ND. Two sons; Rhett Taylor and Clayne Taylor of Twin Falls, ID. A sister, Judy Foster of Rigby, ID and twelve grandchildren and thirteen great grandchildren.

Jean was preceded by her parents, her husband, Willard Carpenter Taylor, a son, James Scott Taylor, two grandsons, Joshua James and Jesse James Hiatt. Two sisters; Donna Darlene Purser, Dorothy May Purser, and a brother, Jimmy Duane Purser.

A funeral service will be held in Jean’s honor on Friday, October 16, 2026, at 11:00 am at Eckersell Funeral Home (101 W. Main Street, Rigby, ID). The family will meet with friends prior to the service on Friday at Eckersells from 9:30 to 10:45 am. She will be buried next to her husband, Will, in the Rigby Pioneer Cemetery follow her services.